Impact of external nasal strips on nasal geometry and intranasal air-conditioning.
BACKGROUND
The anterior nasal segment is the most effective part of the nasal airways when it comes to warming and humidification of the inhaled air. Any changes in nasal geometry in this segment modifying the airflow could therefore affect nasal air conditioning. The goal of this study was to examine if external nasal strips have an influence on intranasal geometry and air-conditioning.


METHODS
Twenty healthy volunteers (mean age, 36 years) were enrolled in the study. All volunteers received active anterior rhinomanometry and acoustic rhinometry before and while wearing commercially available external nasal strips. In addition, in vivo air temperature and humidity were measured with and without nasal strips at the defined intranasal sites.


RESULTS
No statistically significant changes in temperature, humidity, and rhinomanometric values were detected during the use of nasal strips (p > 0.05). The statistical analysis of the acoustic rhinometric results showed a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the minimal cross-sectional areas (MCA) 1 (0-2 cm) and MCA2 (2-5 cm) and the nasal volume (Vol) 1 (0-2 cm). On the other hand, the nasal strips did not significantly alter the nasal Vol2 (2-5 cm; p > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Changes in the nasal geometry of the anterior part of the nose by wearing nasal strips did not relevantly alter intranasal air-conditioning. The application of nasal strips entails an increase in MCAs but not in nasal airflow Vol.
Lindemann
Joerg
J
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany. joerg.lindemann@uniklinik-ulm.de
Tsakiropoulou
Evangelia
E
Keck
Tilman
T
Leiacker
Richard
R
Vital
Victor
V
Wiesmiller
Kerstin M
KM
D000328:Adult; D000403:Airway Resistance / Q000502:physiology*; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006813:Humidity; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology*; D012016:Reference Values; D025363:Rhinomanometry; D023842:Rhinometry, Acoustic / Q000379:methods